Qld siblings fight deportation to Korea

A pair of Gold Coast siblings are "soul-crushed" after being told they will be deported to South Korea despite living in Australia for most of their lives.

More than 27,000 people have signed a petition to keep Phillip and Amy Choi, 21 and 19, in Australia ahead of a looming November 2 departure date.

They are fighting alongside their parents, Leo and Joanne, to retain residency but it appears a losing battle with the Immigration Depatment.

A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on Thursday said the Chois had failed to make best use of an opportunity to apply to legally remain in the country.

She said the department had presented the chance for the family to apply for student and other visa types when they were granted a six-month stay in the country last year, which included working rights.

"It was open to the family, while those visas remained valid, to apply for further visas on their own merits," she said.